Biarritz hotel mixing discreet luxury and relaxed surfer vibe, full of joyous colors
Regina Experimental / Biarritz / Nouvelle-Aquitaine / France
The story of Biarritz is interesting. It has attracted the rich and famous for a long time but still you hear very little about it. If you compare with other fancy destinations across Europe like St. Tropez, Portofino and Mykonos that are appearing in all kinds of tabloids when celebrities are doing their things, Biarritz rarely gets any kind of mention. This is interesting considering that celebrities have been coming here for centuries and still continue to come. It is usually said that it was Victor Hugo who first put this place on the map when he visited back in 1843 and he was already then concerned about how this place would not be a secret for long and risk over-tourism. Maybe this is all why there seems to be a common consensus that Biarritz should be kept off the radar. If this is indeed the ambition, it will be made more difficult after the opening of the Regina Experimental.
The journey of the Experimental chain started in Paris back in 2007 with a bar opening. Fast forward to the Summer of 2023 when the Regina opened its doors. They had come across this creamy white Belle Époque building built back in 1907, created by architect Henry Martinet as Le Regina Hotel & Spa. After the purchase of this property, the Experimental boys did something really clever by enlisting Dorothée Meilichzon to lead the design, and the result speaks volumes.
This 72-key hotel is sitting high up on a cliff on the northern outskirts of town. When you enter, the reception area is a fairly discreet affair but take a couple of more steps and you enter this grand atrium, 15 m tall and with a magnificent stained glass ceiling and Art Deco features. This space is the beating heart of the hotel with so many fun, quirky design elements that it takes a couple of days to take it all in. It is a joy to see the generous use of colors, patterns, textures and shapes. I snapped so many photos my Leica almost got a burn out.
Our room was on the 2nd floor and was a pastelly, joyous affair The color scheme was a combo of mainly blue, white and mint green with some splashes of color to add to the mix, like the bright red striped chairs, the pink vintage phones, a turquoise radio and the forest green in the head board. There is a subtle marine theme in the use of rope instead of skirting boards and the sea shell shaped table lamp on the desk. All very clearly done by Meilichzon and her team.
So although Biarritz is a place where you spend most of your time outdoors, with the look of and the offers at the Regina, it is a joy every time you return back to the hotel and get to hang out in this colorful, joyous and luxurious world again.
Welcome to Regina Experimental in Biarritz!
The fairly discrete reception opens up to…
…this massive, 15 m tall atrium which is a feats of colors, shapes and patterns.
The corridors leading to the rooms are hidden behind these huge portals.
I love the rich, generous use of colors and patterns in the furniture and carpets in the atrium. It makes the space come to life.
Heading up to our room on the second floor.
The atrium again, taken from outside our room.
Our room. The beds of the Experimental hotels always have.a version of an arch as a head board. They always look totally different but the shape is always the same. A very interesting way to connect the designs of the different hotels.
The main colors used in our room were white, blue and a soft, minty green with some odd pops of color. It all feels very 80s. The good kind of 80s.
There are some nautical elements in the room which makes full sense considering the location.
If you didn’t bring your own beret to France, there is one for loan in the room.
Another bold color choice, the deep red tiles in the bathroom which is a great contrast to the otherwise pastel-like color scheme.
Bathroom products from Swedish brand Lilla Bruket
Leaving the room to explore the rest of the hotel and Biarritz.
Frenchie, the in-house restaurant.
The pool area. We loved to come here in the evening when people started to leave and we had the whole space to ourselves.
This is my favorite shot from our stay here. I love the creamy Belle Époque building next to the soft, blue sky.
The view from right outside the hotel of downtown Biarritz and the main beaches.
And the view of the other direction of the old lighthouse.
There is a cute little bar next to the lighthouse which is a great place to enjoy a drink in the evening as the sun sets right in front of you.
The view from the lighthouse of the hotel, resting on a cliff high above the roaring Atlantic.
Ok, this was almost a religious moment for me. I love almond croissants (who doesn’t!?). And this one was the best one I have ever had. I got it from a bakery down the road from the hotel, Boulangerie Rende des Pains Patisserie.
And for a healthier treat to balance the croissants, there is a bowl- and smoothie place called Bali Bowls which was my husbands favorite.
Stopping for a citron pressé and a cappuccino at Palmito, close to the old port
If you want to explore the outskirts of town there are trails to follow either by foot or bike. We found this beach, Plage de Senix, that we really liked.
And another favorite place just outside town is this one, Chixko, on the main road just south of Biarritz.
Hearty, tasty surfer style food. And the service is great too!
And they don’t just serve up great food, the coffee is great too!
RG inside info
Date of RG stay:
June 2025
This place is perfect if you…
…are looking for a hotel that combines a beachy vibe with forward thinking design, where discreet luxury is somehow combined with the complete opposite; a relaxed surfer culture. If this sounds up your alley, book a room at the Regina Experimental.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is the truly unique design. Some color combinations I would have never considered combining. Mixing striped sofas with vintage surf boards. Deep red tiles in the bathroom are matched with vintage, pink phones and a turquoise radio. I love when hotels dare to leave the expected path and go a little crazy, tastefully crazy.
What not to miss when staying here…
…is to take part in the local surfing scene, in the water if you are up for it. Otherwise it also great to find a spot on dry land and watch the experts in action. Another hot top: There is an old lighthouse in front of the hotel and next to it is a bar with great views of the sunset. And finally, a 5 min walk from the hotel there is a bakery that offers the best almond croissants I have ever tasted. Must not be missed.
If you like this hotel you might also like:
Hotel Amour / Nice, France
W Hotel / Ibiza, Spain
Palihouse Santa Monica / LA, CA, USA
